Military Strikes in Syria Cannot Bring Justice

Contact: Sharon Singh, ssingh@aiusa.org, 202-675-8579, @spksingh(Washington, D.C.) Frank Jannuzi, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) deputy executive director, issued the following statement as President Barack Obama announced his intention to seek congressional approval for military strikes on Syria in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons:"Amnesty International renews our call for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), to impose an arms embargo on the Syrian government, and to deploy international monitors to investigate and report on human rights abuses."We deplore the prolonged failure of the UNSC to hold accountable those who have violated international human rights and humanitarian law in the Syrian conflict. A climate of impunity will only embolden those on all sides who have shown disregard for international norms of justice that evolved from the darkest periods of human history.“Long term, the best way for the United States to signal its abhorrence for war crimes and crimes against humanity and to promote justice in Syria, would be to reaffirm its support for the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court."Tragically, the conflict in Syria shows no signs of abating. The international community should prepare for a prolonged humanitarian emergency. It needs to increase support to neighboring countries where refugees are fleeing; offer resettlement and humanitarian admission programs and robustly fund the United Nations' Syria Regional Response Plans.”